HBO is renewing Ballers for a second season after seeing massive viewership

The comedy series, which premiered on June 21, drew 8.3 million viewers across HBO branded platforms, making it HBO’s most watched first episode of an half-hour since 2009, network reports. A staggering 5.6 million viewers have watched the episode on Dwayne Johnson’ Facebook as well.

“Ballers” features pro wrestler turned actor Dwayne Johnson in the lead role. He is playing a former football player who is striving hard to prove himself as financial manager. The remaining cast includes John David Washington, Omar Miller, Troy Garity, Dononvan W. Carter, London Brown and Rob Corddry.

“The charismatic and hugely talented Dwayne Johnson, along with the rest of the Ballers cast, has truly struck a chord with the HBO audience. We are thrilled with the overwhelming response the series has received and look forward to another exciting season.” Michael Lombardo, HBO Programming President said in a statement.

The story centers on former and active Miami based football players. Many of those performing in series are actual athletes or have involved in sports at some point of their lives.

Getting that much success with a sports themed television series, is a remarkable achievement indeed.

“We went in knowing this is a high bar. Given the amount of time sports spends in the collective consciousness of this country, it’s been an area that people have been less successful in mining on a fictional level.” Michael Lombardo said last month before the series kicked off.

HBO’s “Eastbound & Down” and FX’s “The League”, which has been renewed for a seventh and final season and scheduled to air this fall, are also among those which are considered relatively successful sports-based series. Ballers is currently competing with Starz “Survivors Remorse” produced by LeBron James and DirecTV’s “Kingdom” to score points with viewers.

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